Sato deal with Aguri not yet official

Takuma Sato may have been the first man to reveal to the F1 world the existence of an eleventh team, but the Japanese driver says there is still no official confirmation of his deal with Super Aguri for the 2006 season

Jan 28, 2006, 9:03 PM

Super Aguri's entry to the world championship was accepted by the FIA last Thursday, and the Honda-powered team are now busy tying up all loose ends in preparations for the first round of the season, in less than six weeks.

And Sato admitted he was relieved to hear the news.

"We have been waiting for this news for a long time so now I am relieved and so happy," he wrote this weekend on his official website.

"I was quite sure that the team would be able to get approval from the FIA, but I was anxiously waiting for the official announcement.

"Until now the staff at Leafield have been doing their best to prepare for the first race, now finally they can start to operate as an official F1 team, so I think they are relieved too.

"And I am so glad that all the staff can now work without anxiety. I am sure being approved by the FIA should increase the momentum.

"We have still not announced my part in the team, so please wait a little longer."